Hello, Tennis fans! If you love following the Tennis and admire world-class, Maria Sharapova is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Maria Sharapova is a retired Russian tennis star, a former world No. 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion, and in 2026 she is also a high-earning businesswoman with a major global profile. She remains widely known for her powerful baseline game, huge endorsements, and for staying in the spotlight even after retiring from professional tennis in 2020.
Maria Sharapova’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Maria Yuryevna Sharapova |
| Nickname | Masha |
| Date of Birth | April 19, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old |
| College | N/A |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88 m) |
| Turned Professional | April 19, 2001 |
| Net Worth | $180-220 million |
| Salary | Retired from professional tennis (earned $38.7M+ in prize money) |
| Partner | Alexander Gilkes |
| Relationship Status | Engaged with one child |
| Instagram Profile | @mariasharapova |
Early Career
Born in Nyagan, Russia, Sharapova picked up her first tennis racket at age four. Concerned about the lingering effects of the Chernobyl disaster, her parents moved the family to Sochi, where young Maria’s talent caught the eye of tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
At just nine years old, she moved to Florida to train at the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, a decision that meant separation from her mother for two years due to visa restrictions. This sacrifice paid dividends when she turned professional on her 14th birthday in 2001, immediately showing promise on the junior circuit with runner-up finishes at Wimbledon and the French Open junior events in 2002.
Professional Career
Sharapova’s professional career exploded onto the world stage in 2004 when she defeated defending champion Serena Williams at Wimbledon to claim her first Grand Slam title at just 17 years old. This victory made her the third-youngest Wimbledon champion in history and announced the arrival of a new tennis superstar.
Over her 19-year career, she captured five Grand Slam titles across all four majors, achieving the coveted Career Grand Slam—a feat only ten women in history have accomplished. She spent 21 weeks as world No. 1, won 36 WTA singles titles, and compiled a 645-171 win-loss record. Her powerful baseline game, signature grunt, and mental toughness made her one of the most formidable competitors of her era, despite battling shoulder injuries that required surgery in 2008 and plagued her throughout her career.
Engaged
Maria Sharapova has been in a committed relationship with British businessman Alexander Gilkes since 2018. The couple went public with their romance after being spotted together at an art gallery in Beverly Hills, and their connection was instant and profound. In December 2020, Gilkes proposed, and Sharapova accepted with the heartfelt words, “I said yes from the first day we met.” Their family expanded in July 2022 with the birth of their son, Theodore, who recently celebrated his third birthday.
While the couple hasn’t rushed to the altar—they’ve openly stated they’re “not in a hurry” to marry—they’re clearly focused on building their life together, balancing parenthood with their respective business ventures. Gilkes, who previously ran the art auction platform Paddle8 and now operates venture studio Squared Circles, has found in Sharapova not just a partner but a collaborator, with Maria serving on his company’s advisory board.
Maria Sharapova’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Maria Sharapova’s net worth is estimated between $180-220 million, cementing her status as one of the wealthiest female athletes of all time. The vast majority of her wealth comes from her legendary endorsement portfolio rather than prize money, with career earnings totaling approximately $285 million when combining both revenue streams. Even in retirement, her business acumen continues to grow her fortune through strategic investments in health, wellness, and technology startups, plus her thriving Sugarpova candy brand, which has expanded into international markets with over 1.5 million bags sold worldwide.
Prize Money
Throughout her illustrious career, Sharapova earned substantial prize money that places her among the all-time WTA leaders. Here’s her tournament earnings breakdown:
| Tournament/Category | Prize Money Earned |
| Australian Open | $4,605,412 |
| French Open | $6,478,635 |
| Wimbledon | $4,123,896 |
| US Open | $5,237,819 |
| WTA Finals | $3,450,000 |
| WTA 1000 Events | $8,250,000 |
| WTA 500 Events | $4,125,000 |
| WTA 250 Events | $2,507,200 |
| Career Total | $38,777,962 |
Endorsements
Sharapova’s appeal to global brands was unmatched during her playing days, making her the world’s highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years. Her endorsement portfolio included:
- Nike: Signed an eight-year, $70 million contract in 2010, including royalties from her own clothing line
- Porsche: Became the luxury car brand’s first global female endorser in a three-year deal
- TAG Heuer: Swiss luxury watchmaker partnership
- Tiffany & Co.: High-end jewelry and accessories collaboration
- Evian: Premium bottled water brand ambassador
- Canon: Camera and imaging technology partnerships
- Motorola: Mobile technology endorsements
- Head: Tennis racket and equipment supplier throughout her career
- Samsung: Consumer electronics and technology giant
- Cole Haan: Nike-owned lifestyle brand with a best-selling shoe line bearing her name
- Avon: Beauty and cosmetics partnership worth $1 million annually
- Sugarpova: Her own premium candy brand launched in 2012, selling gummies, chocolates, and gumballs in over 30 countries
Career Records
Sharapova faced the toughest competition of her era, developing intense rivalries that defined women’s tennis for nearly two decades. Her head-to-head records tell the story of her competitive journey:
| Opponent | Head-to-Head Record | Notable Matches |
| Serena Williams | 2-20 | 2004 Wimbledon Final (Win), 2012 Olympics Final (Loss) |
| Venus Williams | 5-3 | 2005 Miami QF, 2007 Australian Open F |
| Victoria Azarenka | 8-7 | 2012 US Open F, 2013 French Open SF |
| Simona Halep | 7-2 | 2014 French Open F, 2018 Australian Open R16 |
| Caroline Wozniacki | 7-4 | Multiple WTA Finals encounters |
| Petra Kvitova | 6-4 | 2011 Wimbledon F, 2015 Australian Open QF |
| Svetlana Kuznetsova | 11-4 | Russian rivalry spanning 15 years |
| Justine Henin | 3-6 | 2006 US Open F (Win), 2007 French Open F |
| Lindsay Davenport | 5-1 | First win over a No. 1 in Tokyo 2005 |
| Jelena Jankovic | 7-3 | 2008 Miami F (longest WTA final that year) |
FAQs
1. When did Maria Sharapova officially retire from professional tennis?
Sharapova announced her retirement in February 2020 at the age of 32, after struggling with persistent shoulder injuries that had required multiple surgeries. Her final professional match was at the 2020 Australian Open, where she lost to Donna Vekic in the first round.
2. What is Maria Sharapova’s most significant business venture outside of tennis?
Her most successful venture is Sugarpova, the premium candy brand she launched in 2012. The company has expanded beyond gummies to include chocolates and gumballs, distributed in over 30 countries worldwide with more than 1.5 million bags sold. The brand reflects her playful personality while demonstrating her business acumen.
3. Has Maria Sharapova been inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame?
Yes, Sharapova was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2025, recognizing her extraordinary career achievements including five Grand Slam titles, a Career Grand Slam, and 36 WTA singles titles. The induction ceremony took place ahead of the US Open, cementing her legacy among tennis immortals.
4. What nationality is Maria Sharapova, and where does she currently live?
Sharapova is Russian by nationality, though she has been a permanent resident of the United States since 1994. She currently resides in California, where she owns multiple properties including a five-acre estate in Summerland purchased for $8.6 million in 2020 and an $11 million Montecito estate bought in 2024.
5. How many Grand Slam titles did Maria Sharapova win, and which ones?
She won five Grand Slam singles titles: Wimbledon (2004), US Open (2006), Australian Open (2008), and the French Open twice (2012, 2014). Her two French Open victories were particularly meaningful as they completed her Career Grand Slam and came on a surface she initially struggled with.
6. Who is Alexander Gilkes, and what does he do?
Alexander Gilkes is a British entrepreneur and Sharapova’s fiancé since 2020. He co-founded the venture studio Squared Circles in 2020, which has raised $40 million in capital. Previously, he founded and sold the art auction platform Paddle8. He also has connections to British royalty and was previously married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo.
7. What was Maria Sharapova’s highest ranking, and how long did she hold it?
Sharapova reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time on August 22, 2005, and held the position for a total of 21 weeks across five separate occasions. Her final stint at No. 1 came in 2012, reflecting her sustained excellence at the highest level of women’s tennis.
8. What is Maria Sharapova’s record against Serena Williams, and why was it so one-sided?
The final tally stands at 2-20 in Serena’s favor, with Sharapova losing their last 19 consecutive meetings. While Sharapova won their first major encounter at Wimbledon 2004, Serena’s superior serve, athleticism, and mental edge proved decisive in subsequent matches. The rivalry became psychological as much as physical, with Serena raising her game specifically against Sharapova.
9. What shoulder injury plagued Maria Sharapova’s career, and how did it affect her?
Sharapova underwent surgery for a torn rotator cuff in her right shoulder in 2008, which kept her off tour for nearly a year. The injury recurred throughout her career, affecting her powerful serve and forcing changes to her service motion. It ultimately contributed to her retirement decision in 2020, as she could no longer compete at the highest level without significant pain.
10. What is Maria Sharapova doing now in 2026?
In 2026, Sharapova focuses on raising her son Theodore, managing her business ventures including Sugarpova, and serving as an advisor to Squared Circles. She remains involved in tennis through mentorship programs for young players and charitable work through the Maria Sharapova Foundation. She also invests in health, wellness, and technology startups, continuing her transition from champion athlete to savvy business mogul.